Feathers of Submission: How Politicians Control Filipinos

There’s a story about Joseph Stalin that feels too close to home for comfort.

Stalin, in front of his closest men, took a live chicken and plucked its feathers, one by one, as it struggled in vain.

When the chicken was completely bare, trembling and in pain, Stalin dropped it to the floor and tossed a few crumbs.

The chicken, despite everything, followed him.

Stalin turned to his men and said, “This is how you control people. You can hurt them, strip them of everything, but give them just enough to survive, and they will follow you.”

This story may or may not be factually true, but the message behind it is undeniable—and eerily familiar when we think of the political reality in the Philippines.

A Story That Feels Too Real

Every election season, we see this same cycle play out in our barangays.

Politicians come around, handing out ayuda, rice, canned goods, or cash.

It’s not much, but for many struggling Filipinos, those crumbs can make the difference between a meal or going hungry.

There’s a saying we all know: “Laman tiyan din yan.” It means, “That’ll still fill your stomach,” and it’s often said when we accept small handouts or gifts, even when we know there are strings attached.

In a country where many are just trying to get by, even the smallest bit of help is seen as a blessing. And that’s what politicians count on.

They give just enough—small crumbs—to keep us loyal, to make sure that when election time comes, we remember their “kindness.”

But much like Stalin’s chicken, we’re left hurt, dependent, and following the very hand that causes our suffering.

The Crumbs They Give Us

Politicians (or their representatives, usually the the trusted staff from the barangay) knock on doors a few days before the elections, offering sacks of rice or cash in envelopes. They ask how many voters are in the house, making it clear that the handouts come with expectations. And for families living paycheck to paycheck, those small tokens are enough to sway decisions.

It’s not much, but “laman tiyan din yan.”

We take the crumbs because we need them. But that’s the problem—they’re just crumbs.

Politicians aren’t offering real solutions, just enough to keep us dependent on them.

Why Filipinos Fit the Story of Stalin’s Chicken

When we look closely at our political situation, it’s clear how we fit into the story of Stalin’s chicken. It’s not just about the handouts; it’s about how we, as a people, have been conditioned to follow, to accept less, and to allow ourselves to be controlled. Here’s why:

1. Laman Tiyan Din Yan

As Filipinos, we’ve been conditioned to accept even the smallest favors, no matter the source. Whether it’s a politician handing out food packs or cash, we justify it by saying, “Laman tiyan din yan.” It’s this mindset that keeps us accepting crumbs because, in the short term, they seem like help. We focus on the immediate relief instead of the bigger picture—how these handouts are keeping us dependent rather than empowered.

2. Confusing Promises with Reality

One of our biggest downfalls is how easily we confuse campaign promises with realistic actions. We often don’t fully understand how the system works—how bureaucracy, laws, and governance limit what a politician can actually achieve. When a candidate promises lower prices or free healthcare, many of us believe they have the power to make that happen instantly, without any obstacles.

We fail to see that governing isn’t about making promises; it’s about working within a complex system. But because we don’t question these promises, we end up following and voting for them blindly.

3. Easily Impressed

Let’s face it—many of us are easily impressed. It’s not that we lack intelligence; it’s that we’re often too quick to latch onto the surface-level qualities we like about a candidate. Maybe it’s their smile, their stance on a single issue, or the fact that they built a waiting shed in the barangay.

We pick one or two things we like and ignore the rest (including glaring acts of corruption and thievery out in the open), even if the rest of their platform is vague or unrealistic. Politicians play to this, knowing exactly what to say or do to win us over, even if it means we’re settling for less.

4. Too Lazy to Think Critically

A hard truth is that many of us are simply too lazy to think critically. We rely on catchy campaign jingles, TV ads, or what our neighbors say rather than researching a candidate’s track record or policies. It’s easier to follow the majority, vote for a familiar name, or pick the candidate with the most appealing promises.

We don’t dig deeper. We don’t ask the tough questions. And this mental laziness keeps us trapped, much like that chicken that keeps following Stalin for crumbs.

5. Hypocritical Anti-Establishment Sentiments

Here’s where it gets even more ironic: We claim to hate corruption. We complain about the thieves and liars in government. Yet, time and again, we elect the same types of leaders—the ones with familiar last names, the ones who’ve been in power for decades, the ones with questionable backgrounds.

We want change, but we’re afraid to break away from what’s familiar. We talk about anti-establishment values, but we end up empowering the very people we claim to despise. It’s hypocritical, and it’s a cycle that keeps us dependent and controlled.

6. Emotional Manipulation and Utang na Loob

Filipino culture deeply values utang na loob—the debt of gratitude. Politicians use this to their advantage. When they give us even the smallest favor, it creates a sense of obligation. We feel like we owe them, even if we know it’s a tactic to secure our loyalty.

We are hesitant to appear ungrateful, and that hesitation locks us into a cycle of dependency. It’s not just about the help they offer—it’s the emotional hold they create that makes us follow.

7. The Media’s Role

The media also plays a significant role in how we’re controlled. Many of us get our political information from mainstream news channels, which are often biased or controlled by the very politicians we’re voting for. These outlets focus on catchy slogans, jingle-filled ads, and soundbites rather than real, in-depth discussions of policies.

We’re spoon-fed an agenda that reinforces what the politicians want us to believe, making it harder for us to think critically or question what’s really going on.

8. Bahala Na Mentality

Lastly, the bahala na attitude—the idea that fate will decide what happens—also keeps us stuck. Many of us feel powerless to change the system, so we vote for what’s familiar or popular without really thinking about the long-term consequences. We tell ourselves, “Bahala na si Batman,” and hope for the best, even though deep down, we know that things are unlikely to improve.

Breaking the Cycle

The story of Stalin’s chicken isn’t just about control—it’s about the dependency that comes with it. As Filipinos, we’ve allowed ourselves to follow the hand that gives us crumbs because we’ve been conditioned to believe it’s the best we can get.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. We can stop following. We can demand more than just handouts. We can push for leaders who offer real, lasting change instead of temporary relief.

The question is, will we?

Crumbs or Change?

Stalin’s story reminds us that control isn’t always about force. It’s about knowing how little to give to keep people dependent.

Politicians in the Philippines have perfected this art—they don’t need to solve the real issues. They just need to give enough to keep us coming back for more.

But the choice is ours.

Will we keep accepting these crumbs, or will we finally demand our feathers back?